July 9, 2010

It's been a rather cold, wet miserable kind of a day. The kind of day when you really don't want to do much other than wrap yourself in a warm blanket and read or watch a movie.

I've been busy updating some photos and tidying things up on the computer. In addition, I put together a new chores schedule for JD. I'm sure most 12 year old boys are the same, but as we weren't having much success with the old way of doing things, we have changed tactics so that now JD earns privileges by completing chores. Basic chores are one point each such as washing up or putting dishes away. Washing the car will earn him extra points. With these privilege points he can gain enough to play computer games for 2 hours, or have a friend stay overnight, or go out to the movies. Each privilege is worth different amounts of points.

At the end of each week, we add up the points to see what has accumulated. Of course there are basic chores that do not earn points such as making his bed and tidying his room and doing his homework. If these are not completed he loses a point for each one. If he complains or argues about it, he loses another point.

I typed up a contract where JD agreed to chores and privileges, and we signed to say we would pay up. At this stage it will probably still undergo some teething problems (which we've discussed) and we'll make adjustments as necessary.

The new program starts tomorrow. Hopefully JD will see learn to appreciate his privileges. It's all part of the process of teaching him to be independent, and understanding that he will have to work for a living.

But now, that it's getting late, the colder wet weather is still hanging around as I sit here and type. I enclose a couple of photos I took this afternoon. One is a view from my window as I sit a the computer:

Joyride on a Tigermoth

A few years back I spurged and bought myself a joyflight for my birthday

Personal Quotes from Vicki-S

"Occasionally I find my breakfast a little bitter, and sometimes it's difficult to chew and swallow; though at other times it's sweet, but it’s very satisfying and always sustains me. My most important meal of the day, is feasting on God’s Word and drinking up His presence."

I love me, because God loves me. It's not that God doesn't see my flaws, they are like blazing torches in His eyes, but rather that He sees past my imperfections and still loves me. And who am I to argue with the perfect God that I am worthwhile, that I am worthy of love, and that He accepts me and wants me to be His child, His beloved daughter? When I understood this, I began to accept and embrace His version and His vision of me, and not the world's.

"The silent treatment and sulking are simply two other weapons in the arsenal of the manipulator."

"Often people use the metaphor of a butterfly emerging from its cocoon to describe how we can grow from difficult experiences, but what they don't mention is the fact that at first we start off as an ugly caterpillar."

"We so often just get caught up in trying to just get through each day, that we forget to pause and be thankful for the fresh one that is presented anew and untouched each morning."

"Contrary to what we might think, forgiveness isn't so much about healing our relationship with that other person, but about healing our own broken heart."

"The purpose of school reunions is to show off how much you've achieved in life, to laugh at the once popular kids who've aged more quickly than you; and to wince at the guy who was a bully in school and who aptly became a policeman."

"I've found in many organisations where volunteers are needed, including the modern-day church, that 80% of its people sit back and let everyone else do most of the work, then there's the 10% who actually make the place run, and the remaining 10% just like to whinge about the 10% doing the work, especially about how they could do it better."

"When traced back to its source, every sin, every despicable act, and every war was motivated by someone's selfishness."

"I do not want to think of man, for that would distract me from God. But if I focus on God, I cannot help but think of my fellow man, and each day God keeps the scales balanced so that I have enough within me to do both."

"Overcoming depression isn’t about changing ones attitude, or just ‘getting on’ with things, it’s like removing one’s personal black shroud one thread at a time, with ones teeth.”